Mamata Banerjee Protest Rally Updates: Did the right thing by interfering in ED probe, had to protect party, says Mamata

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"It was a difficult and unfortunate day for a professional organisation like I-PAC. We believe this raises serious concerns and sets an unsettling precedent. Regardless, we have extended full cooperation and will continue to do so as required, engaging with the process in complete accordance and respect for the law," a statement issued by the firm said.

The Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a high-profile political consultancy and the Trinamool Congress’s primary strategic partner, where the Enforcement Directorate conducted a raid on Thursday, described it as an “unfortunate day,” saying the action raises serious concerns and sets an "unsettling precedent".

Warning the Centre of not crossing the Laxman Rekha, Mamata Banerjee said, "I am holding a constitutional chair, which is why I am not taking out the pen drives. If they push me too far, I am warning you - I have all the pen drives. I will expose everything. I tolerate things only up to a point. Remember, there is a Lakshman Rekha."

"They talk about coal money. Who enjoys it? Amit Shah does. The money is given through a traitor. Jagannath is also involved-  not Lord Jagannath of Puri, but this Jagannath is a dacoit (BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar). Through Jagannath, the money goes to Suvendu, and then that money goes to Amit Shah," Mamata alleged, while addressing protesters today evening in Kolkata.

“Of course we are going to resist the ED and the CBI. They are dalals of the BJP, Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah,” TMC MP Mahua Moitra told India Today TV, warning that the BJP cannot “darao” (intimidate) or “dhamkao” (threaten) them.

"Our next destination is the Election Commission. In every neighbourhood of Bengal, the death knell will be rung against the BJP," said Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata also questioned the Home Minister over the role of BSF and CISF forces and alleged that they failed to stop illegal coal smuggling.

Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP for branding Bengali-speaking people as Bangladeshis. She said, "They had claimed earlier that there were Rohingyas in Bengal, but they did not find any. So, where are the Rohingyas entering India from?"

Mamata Banerjee warned the BJP leaders that even if they bought land on the Moon to escape after losing power at the Centre, she would drag it back to face the people.

"When they attack me, I get a new lease of life, just like they did yesterday. Yesterday felt like my reincarnation," Mamata said. "Those who abuse us and defame the TMC don’t know our workers. They are ready to face any challenge, even the gallows, with a smile on their faces," she added.

Speaking out on the I-PAC raids, Mamata Banerjee said she did not commit any wrongdoing by confronting the ED during its operations. She alleged that all proceeds from the coal scam ultimately go to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She further claimed that the funds were routed through BJP MP from Bengal Jagannath Sarkar and Leader of Opposition in the Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari. Mamata added that she has kept silent out of respect for the chair she holds. However, she warned that if undue pressure is applied by central agencies, she is prepared to bare it all and said she has pen drives to back her claims.

Addressing the protest rally following the I-PAC raids, Mamata Banerjee warned the Election Commission that if it deleted any votes or if anyone’s rights were snatched, she would snatch their rights in return.

Addressing protesters, the Bengal Chief Minister called the Narendra Modi government "shameless", and said that the Election Commission can't do anything.

Ahead of starting the rally, Mamata Banerjee said, "I bow to all the citizens of this region, to Ma-Mati-Manush (Mother, Soil and People). I express my gratitude and thanks. I wish everyone a happy New Year. Your support will take the people of Bengal forward on the global stage."

Explaining the purpose behind the street protests Mamata, invoking Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, said, "Against Delhi’s deprivation, humiliation, oppression, insult and disrespect; against the disenfranchisement of two crore people and the snatching away of rights-we will take to the streets. This is Netaji’s message."

"The soil of Jadavpur is the soil of struggle. It is the land of refugees," she added.

Unhappy with the adjournment, the ED approached the acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Sujoy Paul, seeking an urgent hearing. The issue was first raised orally before the Chief Justice’s office. According to High Court sources, the ED requested that if the matter could not be heard in Justice Ghosh’s courtroom, it be assigned to another judge. The Chief Justice’s office asked the ED to submit its request in writing, after which a decision would be taken. Accordingly, the ED filed a written plea seeking an urgent hearing by constituting a bench.

After Justice Shubra Ghosh has adjourned the I-PAC-related case till January 14, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the office of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, seeking an expedited hearing in the matter.

Despite repeated warnings from Justice Suvra Ghosh, order was not restored in the courtroom. Issuing a stern warning, she asked lawyers not associated with the case to leave within five minutes, failing which she said she would step out. However, confusion erupted among the lawyers, who began arguing and jostling over who would stay and who would leave.

Angered by the overcrowding despite her warning, the judge left the courtroom and adjourned the case till February 14.

The hearing in the I-PAC case at the Calcutta High Court was derailed even before it began after the judge walked out of the courtroom as lawyers pushed and shoved each other, triggering chaos ahead of the proceedings.

Swapan Dasgupta stressed that the ED's fight, as far as the raids on IPAC office and Prateek Jain's house are concerned, is not the BJP's fight against the Trinamool Congress. "The ED's fight is not the BJP's fight. The BJP's fight is political, while the ED's fight is the legal one".